02.04.202612:36:22UTC+00US Trade Gap Below Forecasts

The US trade deficit widened modestly to $57.3 billion in February 2026 from a revised $54.7 billion in January, though it came in below market expectations of a $59.2 billion gap. Exports rose 4.2% to a record high of $314.8 billion, driven primarily by shipments of nonmonetary gold and natural gas. Imports increased 4.3% to $372.1 billion, the highest level in eleven months, boosted by purchases of computers and computer accessories, trucks, buses and special purpose vehicles, crude oil, semiconductors, pharmaceutical products, and charges for the use of intellectual property.

By trading partner, the largest deficit was recorded with Taiwan, at $21.1 billion (vs. $17.3 billion in January), followed by Mexico at $16.8 billion (vs. $12.8 billion), Vietnam at $16.5 billion (vs. $19 billion), and China at $13.1 billion (vs. $12.5 billion). The trade gap with the European Union narrowed to $5.1 billion from $6.1 billion, while the shortfall with Canada shrank to $0.74 billion from $2.7 billion.